2009 Fantasy Football Rankings: Keeper Leagues


I’ve never been part of a keeper/dynasty league, but upon request, here are my Top 150 2009 Fantasy Football Rankings for Keeper Leagues. Also, be sure to check out my other 2009 Fantasy Football articles, which will include rankings, sleepers, busts, tons of 2009 Fantasy Football mock drafts, cheat sheets and other things.



2009 Fantasy Football Keeper Rankings (Traditional Scoring):
Last Updated: July 1, 2009

  1. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings. Bye: 9.
  2. Matt Forte, RB, Bears. Bye: 5.
  3. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars. Bye: 7.
  4. Chris Johnson, RB, Titans. Bye: 7.
  5. Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions. Bye: 7.
  6. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals. Bye: 4.
  7. Steve Slaton, RB, Texans. Bye: 10.
  8. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos. Bye: 7.
  9. Steven Jackson, RB, Rams. Bye: 9.
  10. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans. Bye: 10.
  11. Drew Brees, QB, Saints. Bye: 5.
  12. Michael Turner, RB, Falcons. Bye: 4.

    You may notice that some of the receivers are ranked pretty high compared to my regular 2009 Fantasy Football Rankings. That’s because wideouts have a longer shelf life than running backs. Barring injury, Calvin Johnson is going to be one of the top receivers in the league for at least 12 more years, especially once Matt Stafford gets going.

    Note that I have Larry Fitzgerald as my No. 2 receiver. Megatron is a few years younger than Fitzgerald. Plus, the Arizona wideout’s production will drop a bit once Kurt Warner retires.

    And speaking of shelf life, Drew Brees is my top quarterback; he’s a couple of years younger than Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, and he hasn’t had any recent knee injuries.


  13. Peyton Manning, QB, Colts. Bye: 6.
  14. Kevin Smith, RB, Lions. Bye: 7.
  15. Pierre Thomas, RB, Saints. Bye: 5.
  16. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots. Bye: 8.
  17. Randy Moss, WR, Patriots. Bye: 8.
  18. Chris Wells, RB, Cardinals. Bye: 4.
  19. Frank Gore, RB, 49ers. Bye: 6.
  20. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers. Bye: 5.
  21. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers. Bye: 4.
  22. Marques Colston, WR, Saints. Bye: 5.
  23. Roddy White, WR, Falcons. Bye: 4.
  24. Greg Jennings, WR, Packers. Bye: 5.

    More quarterbacks and receivers, namely Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is only 25 and has a plethora of weapons to work with in Green Bay, so he figures to be a dominant fantasy option for a long time.

    On the other end of the spectrum, Randy Moss is No. 17 despite being 32. As mentioned earlier, wideouts last longer, so Moss probably has at least three more years of very high productivity remaining.





  25. Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers. Bye: 5.
  26. Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons. Bye: 4.
  27. Brandon Marshall, WR, Broncos. Bye: 7
  28. Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs. Bye: 8.
  29. Steve Smith, WR, Panthers. Bye: 4.
  30. Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts. Bye: 6.
  31. Marion Barber, RB, Cowboys. Bye: 6.
  32. Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants. Bye: 10.
  33. Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins. Bye: 8.
  34. Braylon Edwards, WR, Browns. Bye: 9.
  35. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers. Bye: 5.
  36. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers. Bye: 4.

    More young quarterbacks populate Round 3. In addition to Philip Rivers and Matt Ryan, we have two veteran runners (Clinton Portis and LaDainian Tomlinson), who probably don’t have many more years of high production remaining in their careers. Taking Tomlinson could help you win this year, but at the cost of struggling for a few seasons down the road.

  37. Vincent Jackson, WR, Chargers. Bye: 5.
  38. Roy Williams, WR, Cowboys. Bye: 6.
  39. Anquan Boldin, WR, Cardinals. Bye: 4.
  40. Ray Rice, RB, Ravens. Bye: 7.
  41. Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders. Bye: 9.
  42. Derrick Ward, RB, Buccaneers. Bye: 8.
  43. Ryan Grant, RB, Packers. Bye: 5.
  44. Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys. Bye: 6.
  45. Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Colts. Bye: 6.
  46. Wes Welker, WR, Patriots. Bye: 8.
  47. Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys. Bye: 6.
  48. Jay Cutler, QB, Bears. Bye: 5.

    Like Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin is a bit lower here than he is in other publications because his production will drop once Kurt Warner retires.

    Meanwhile, if the Chargers ever get a more pass-friendly coaching staff, having Vincent Jackson could pay dividends.


  49. Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins. Bye: 6.
  50. Santonio Holmes, WR, Steelers. Bye: 8.
  51. Steve Breaston, WR, Cardinals. Bye: 4.
  52. Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers. Bye: 5.
  53. Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles. Bye: 4.
  54. Eddie Royal, WR, Broncos. Bye: 7.
  55. Lee Evans, WR, Bills. Bye: 9.
  56. Marshawn Lynch, RB, Bills. Bye: 9.
  57. Shonn Greene, RB, Jets. Bye: 9.
  58. Donald Brown, RB, Colts. Bye: 6.
  59. Antonio Bryant, WR, Buccaneers. Bye: 8.
  60. Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles. Bye: 4.

    It’s odd to see Brian Westbrook so low, especially beneath the likes of Shonn Green and Donald Brown, but he’s accumulated so many injuries over the years that it’s difficult to imagine him maintaining high production levels in 2010 and beyond, especially with LeSean McCoy around.

    Steve Breaston is an intriguing option. If Anquan Boldin ever gets traded, Breaston will be a starter in Arizona’s pass-friendly offense.

    I’d be careful with Antonio Bryant. It’s impossible that he’ll always be in a contract year. Once he gets a huge, multi-year deal, he’ll likely revert back to Sloth Mode.





  61. DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles. Bye: 4.
  62. Donnie Avery, WR, Rams. Bye: 9.
  63. Reggie Bush, RB, Saints. Bye: 5.
  64. Matt Schaub, QB, Texans. Bye: 10.
  65. Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals. Bye: 8.
  66. Greg Olsen, TE, Bears. Bye: 5.
  67. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Seahawks. Bye: 7.
  68. John Carlson, TE, Seahawks. Bye: 7.
  69. Chris Cooley, TE, Redskins. Bye: 8.
  70. Kellen Winslow Jr., TE, Buccaneers. Bye: 8.
  71. Matt Stafford, QB, Lions. Bye: 7.
  72. Dustin Keller, TE, Jets. Bye: 9.

    You won’t see Matt Stafford this high on many lists, but he has the physical ability, the skill set and the dominant No. 1 receiver to be a premier fantasy quarterback down the road.



  73. Owen Daniels, TE, Texans. Bye: 10.
  74. Dallas Clark, TE, Colts. Bye: 6.
  75. Chad Ochocinco, WR, Bengals. Bye: 8.
  76. Santana Moss, WR, Redskins. Bye: 8.
  77. Kevin Walter, WR, Texans. Bye: 10.
  78. Bernard Berrian, WR, Vikings. Bye: 9.
  79. Joseph Addai, RB, Colts. Bye: 6.
  80. Devin Hester, WR, Bears. Bye: 5.
  81. Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals. Bye: 4.
  82. Josh Morgan, WR, 49ers. Bye: 6.
  83. Terrell Owens, WR, Bills. Bye: 9.
  84. Michael Bush, RB, Raiders. Bye: 9.

    Round 7 is comprised of many veteran players who won’t be around much longer. Having Kurt Warner, Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco on your roster may help you win this year, but you’ll have tons of holes on your roster in the future if you draft too many older guys.

    I really like Michael Bush here. Once the Raiders figure out that he’s the best running back on the team – which may not be until 2010 – he’ll become a very lucrative fantasy option.


  85. LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles. Bye: 4.
  86. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Falcons. Bye: 4.
  87. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers. Bye: 8.
  88. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers. Bye: 8.
  89. Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys. Bye: 6.
  90. Hines Ward, WR, Steelers. Bye: 8.
  91. Thomas Jones, RB, Jets. Bye: 9.
  92. Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants. Bye: 10.
  93. Brian Robiskie, WR, Browns. Bye: 9.
  94. Zach Miller, TE, Raiders. Bye: 9.
  95. Earnest Graham, RB, Buccaneers. Bye: 8.
  96. Tashard Choice, RB, Cowboys. Bye: 6.

    Tons of young players here, including LeSean McCoy, Rashard Mendenhall, Hakeem Nicks, Brian Robiskie and the two Dallas runners. Tashard Choice intrigues me because unlike Felix Jones, he’s a three-down runner who can carry the load. Marion Barber is bound to get hurt, and once that happens, Choice could be the guy getting most of the carries.

    I like Robiskie and Nicks this year, so the decision to put them this early was an easy one.


  97. Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers. Bye: 6.
  98. Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals. Bye: 8.
  99. Lance Moore, WR, Saints. Bye: 5.
  100. Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens. Bye: 7.
  101. Jason Campbell, QB, Redskins. Bye: 8.
  102. Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs. Bye: 8.
  103. Darren Sproles, RB, Chargers. Bye: 5.
  104. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Giants. Bye: 10.
  105. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Eagles. Bye: 4.
  106. LenDale White, RB, Titans. Bye: 7.
  107. Jordy Nelson, WR, Packers. Bye: 5.
  108. Jerricho Cotchery, WR, Jets. Bye: 9.

    I’m not as high on Darren Sproles and Jamaal Charles as others are. Bump them up if you’re in a PPR league, but neither guy is built to carry the ball 20-25 times a game. They’re both change-of-pace runners and third-down options. Nothing more.

  109. Domenik Hixon, WR, Giants. Bye: 10.
  110. Mark Sanchez, QB, Jets. Bye: 9.
  111. Brady Quinn, QB, Browns. Bye: 9.
  112. Devin Thomas, WR, Redskins. Bye: 8.
  113. Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Lions. Bye: 7.
  114. Derrick Mason, WR, Ravens. Bye: 7.
  115. Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Dolphins. Bye: 6.
  116. Sidney Rice, WR, Vikings. Bye: 9.
  117. Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys. Bye: 6.
  118. Willie Parker, RB, Steelers. Bye: 8.
  119. Laveranues Coles, WR, Bengals. Bye: 8.
  120. Torry Holt, WR, Jaguars. Bye: 7.

    I’m not nearly as high on Mark Sanchez and Brady Quinn as fantasy quarterbacks as I am on Matt Stafford. Neither has elite arm strength, and if Braylon Edwards leaves Cleveland, neither will have a top-notch WR1 to throw to.

  121. Donald Driver, WR, Packers. Bye: 5.
  122. David Garrard, QB, Jaguars. Bye: 7.
  123. Jerious Norwood, RB, Falcons. Bye: 4.
  124. Nate Washington, WR, Titans. Bye: 7.
  125. Fred Jackson, RB, Bills. Bye: 9.
  126. Larry Johnson, RB, Chiefs. Bye: 8.
  127. New York Giants. Bye: 10.
  128. Philadelphia Eagles. Bye: 4.
  129. Minnesota Vikings. Bye: 9.
  130. Jamal Lewis, RB, Browns. Bye: 9.
  131. Julius Jones, RB, Seahawks. Bye: 7.
  132. Jeremy Shockey, TE, Saints. Bye: 5.

    Note that Jamal Lewis and Larry Johnson are only listed because they’re currently starting running backs. Getting a starter in Round 11 isn’t such a bad idea, though it’s worth watching James Davis’ progress in Cleveland’s training camp and preseason.

  133. Kenny Britt, WR, Titans. Bye: 7.
  134. Chris Chambers, WR, Chargers. Bye: 5.
  135. Baltimore Ravens. Bye: 7.
  136. Chester Taylor, RB, Vikings. Bye: 9.
  137. Heath Miller, TE, Steelers. Bye: 8.
  138. Pittsburgh Steelers. Bye: 8.
  139. Justin Gage, WR, Titans. Bye: 7.
  140. Mark Clayton, WR, Ravens. Bye: 7.
  141. LeRon McClain, RB, Ravens. Bye: 7.
  142. Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seahawks. Bye: 7.
  143. Josh Freeman, QB, Buccaneers. Bye: 8.
  144. Tony Scheffler, TE, Broncos. Bye: 7.

    Nothing here that really excites me. Tony Scheffler is worth a look if you weren’t able to get a tight end earlier. Once Josh McDaniels is fired and the Broncos find a starting quarterback with an NFL arm, Scheffler will become a viable fantasy option again.

  145. Matt Cassel, QB, Chiefs. Bye: 8.
  146. Laurence Maroney, RB, Patriots. Bye: 8.
  147. Leon Washington, RB, Jets. Bye: 9.
  148. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Raiders. Bye: 9.
  149. Mark Bradley, WR, Chiefs. Bye: 8.
  150. Chris Henry, WR, Bengals. Bye: 8.

    Well, at least Darrius Heyward-Bey even made the list…



Click here for the printable 2009 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 150 Traditional



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